Make informed choices when hiring a contractor

NEWS RELEASE

GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO

Victoria Day weekend marks the start of summer and the start of home renovation season.

Make sure you protect your hard-earned money by asking the right questions before you renovate or repair your home. 

Follow these tips from Consumer Protection Ontario to help make informed choices before hiring a contractor:

• Do your homework - Visit Ontario.ca/ConsumerProtection to learn about your rights and responsibilities before you get started on your project. Find qualified contractors by asking for recommendations from friends and neighbours.
• Ask for a written estimate - Have three contractors view the job and give written estimates. Never accept an estimate over the phone and remember that legally a contractor cannot charge you more than 10 per cent above the estimate.
• Choose wisely - Check references and consumer sources like the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services' Consumer Beware List before selecting your contractor. Keep in min d that the lowest estimate may not be the best. 
• Get a written contract - Once you select a contractor, make sure they include the estimate as part of your written contract. Consumer Protection Ontario has a checklist of what should be included in your contract. 
• Changed your mind? - You may be entitled to a cooling-off period. Under Ontario'sConsumer Protection Act, you can cancel a contract within 10 days if you signed the contract in your home and the price is more than $50. 

Consumer Protection Ontario is your go-to source for advice about your rights as a consumer, how to file a complaint, and other consumer information and advice for Ontarians.

Ontario is helping consumers "Ask the Right Questions" before they decide to buy a product or sign a contract and protect their hard-earned money.

Quick facts

• See the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services award-winning advertisement on home renovation called “Disco.”
• Statistics Canada reported home renovation spending reached $5.2 billion in Ontario in the third quarter of 2014.
• Home renovations and repair services are traditionally one of the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services’ top consumer inquiries and complaints.

Additional resources

• Consumer Protection Ontario offers information on consumer rights and public safety, and lets you know who to go to if you have a complaint or dispute with a business.

Quotes

"A home renovation that goes wrong is extremely stressful, and our government wants to ensure Ontarians know their rights and how to hire a reliable contractor so they can avoid these difficult situations. That’s why Consumer Protection Ontario has launched a consumer awareness campaign on how consumers can safeguard their investment by asking the right questions before starting a home renovation project."

 — David Orazietti, Minister of Government and Consumer Services

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